Yeguete, Murphy bulked up
A full offseason under second-year strength coach Preston Greene resulted in big strength gains for two key Florida forwards.
Senior forward Erik Murphy is up to 238 pounds, while junior forward Will Yeguete is at 240 pounds. That added bulk should help both players in the post in the rough-and-tumble Southeastern Conference.
“It’s gonna help me a lot especially on defense in the post, offensively to be able to post up, holding my ground,” said Yeguete, who added his foot is back at 100 percent.
Yeguete got a jump on UF’s strength and conditioning plan when he suffered a broken foot that kept him out of the NCAA Tournament. That carried over into the summer through Greene’s unorthodox training methods.
“We were pushing trucks, flipping tires, running around with a boxing bag,” Yeguete said. “It was crazy but we got through it. We all got better, we all got bigger and I think it’s going to help us this season.”
Murphy, who was 218 pounds when he arrived on campus as a freshman, said he has put extra time in the weight room during the offseason.
“It will help a lot, down low especially, banging,” said Murphy, who averaged 4.5 rebounds per game last season. “That’s something that’s always been a little bit of a struggle for me.”
Kevin Brockway gave up on his dream of becoming a lefty starting pitcher for the New York Mets when he walked four straight batters, then hit one in a middle school game in Suffern, N.Y. Since graduating college in 1993, he’s worked as a sports writer at daily newspapers throughout the state of Florida, beginning with the Key West Citizen. He then moved on to the Northwest Florida Daily News and Naples Daily News before becoming the men’s basketball writer for The Gainesville Sun in 2003. Brockway has won multiple state and national writing awards during his 16-year career. Favorite pastimes include karaoke and watching baseball. Favorite college hoops team growing up was St. John’s.
Hey Kevin, thanks for your great work! I was wondering what happens if more players commit to the Gators than available scholarships? We have room to add 3 next year with Larson being off scholarship, but what happens if, besides Walker and Hill, Parker and Randle BOTH commit? What happens in those situations? Thanks.
by Sebastian
It could be four if Patric Young has a big season and decides to declare early for NBA draft and if Larson’s scholly is not renewed. You never know about other transfers as well. Coaches usually find a way to make it work.
by Kevin Brockway
P.Young will most likely go to the NBA
by Ryan
There’s a great chance P. Young returns for his senior season. He says that he wants to earn his four year degree
by Brent
Would like yo see Young come back AND PLAY THE 4. Harris at Center with Pat at PF, would be a heck of a line.
by scott
Kevin have you heard how all of the visits went for all of the 5 star kids that were in for the LSU weekend? How did they like the over all sports atmosphere at the game?
Thanks!
by Braxton